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MUMBAI:
Zee News Ltd (ZNL) has decided to launch a Telugu movie channel,
adding to its existing bouquet of a general entertainment
and a recently launched news channel.
The
channel will be called Zee Cinemalu. "We have decided to launch a Telugu
movie channel. It makes business sense for us as we have lapped up a lot of movies
which we are currently using in our general entertainment channel," a source
in the company says.
ZNL
has applied to the Information and Broadcasting ministry and
is waiting for approval. "We have obtained some level
of maturity in that market. The movie channel will fortify
our position in the Telugu market," the source adds.
Zee Telugu achieved a break even status in the second quarter
of Fy'09, allowing the company the space to launch Telugu
news channel Zee Gantalu in early April.
Zee
lapped up close to 30 new movies in a deal size estimated at Rs 600 million. The
roster included titles like Kotha Bangaru Lokam, Paandurangadu, Vinayakudu, Krishna,
Ashta Chamma, Gorintaku, Bhadradri, Ready, Krishnarjuna, Nenu Meeku Thelusa, Okka
Magadu, Bujji Gadu, Ontari, Navavasantham, Sasirekha Parinayam, Swagatham, Bhale
Dongalu, Victory, Kantri, Surya S/o Krishnan, Sidhu from Sikakulam, Tulasi, Avakai
Biryani and Maisamma IPS. "We
have been aggressively acquiring Telugu movies for over a year now. We will continue
to do so as part of our strategy to build a good movie library," says the
source. Zee,
however, has shelved its plans to launch a Bengali movie channel. "We are
investing in Akaash Bangla where we have picked up a 26 per cent stake. We have
dropped our plans to launch a Bengali movie channel," the source adds. | 
